Sitting down and creating something with your own hands is magic. From the timeless skill of making your own food to the simple pleasure of making a card for a loved one, we love to see each other start, try and succeed. Take a look at our guide for a variety of charming art and craft classes for anyone and everyone to get their hands stuck in.
Cake Decorating and Food Workshops at Julie Donald
Julie Donald offers a variety of social cooking experiences, from savoury cultural menus to cake and baking expertise. Classes are offered in both the mornings and evenings, allowing for a social, knowledge sharing experience.
When: Various times, see the full list of upcoming workshops here
Where: 22 Roseville Rd, Claremont, Cape Town
Cost: R500 (morning and evening workshops) | R990 (Saturday hands-on workshops).
Website: juliedonald.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 402 2331
Facebook: Julie Donald CT | Instagram: @julie_donaldct
Create Hobby: Learn the Secrets of Sewing and Pattern-Making
Create Hobby is a unique sewing school which offers the option of completely customizing a course for you. Create Hobby also offers set courses which range from Beginners courses to Advanced, as well as Patternmaking. Create Hobby offers classes for all ages and there is an option for everyone.
Class options range from kids sewing camps, group classes and private sewing lessons, and they also offer evening classes. Their lecturers have great patience and have all got industry experience to be able to guide our students through their sewing venture. Whatever your sewing dream is, Create Hobby provides the stepping stones to get you to your own end goal.
Several of our students have used their learnt talent and skills they’ve learned with us to start their own businesses. Create Hobby’s classes are fun, educational and social. Not only can they teach you how to sew, but they also can get you fully kitted out with your sewing equipment, as well as post sale support on all equipment purchased.
Where: Create. Hobby Studio, 142 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town
Cost: Course-dependent
Website: createhobby.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 494 0069 or 084 653 8935
Facebook: @CreateHobby | Twitter: @createhobby | Instagram: @create.hobby
Clay Hands: Ceramics and Pottery
Looking for a space to explore the world of pottery? Clay Hands offers a range of classes for all levels of skill. This women-run studio nurtures a supportive environment to encourage students to unlock new passions and talents.
Learn the beauty of ceramics with classes that vary from hand building, to wheel work. There is something for everybody: whether it’s once-off workshops to test it out, or regular classes for continuous skills development.
The studio is located in 196 Victoria: a creative hub in Woodstock. This historic building contains an outdoor courtyard with an impressive view of Devil’s Peak, offering a quiet retreat just off from the busy suburb’s bustling roads.
Cost: Dependent on class type. For more information, visit its website here | Student discounts available
When: Varying | Classes are conducted through the year which is split into four terms
Where: Clay Hands Studio, 196 Victoria Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Website: clayhands.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Whatsapp: +27 73 414 7777
Facebook: @CreateHobby | Twitter: @createhobby | Instagram: @create.hobby
Clay Cafe: Causal Pottery Painting
Cape Town’s long history in artisanal trade means that we love to create here in the Cape. Clay Cafe doesn’t cater for making pottery but painting pottery and having a bite does take a very close second.
The delicious kitchen is sustainably run, as the massive plot is teeming with the fresh produce that decks patrons’ plates. The expansive open-plan painting space has enough tables and chairs – and enough space on the table to comfortably paint and eat – to cater for team building, work functions, large groups or parties and even smaller, more intimate groups – booking is essential for all party sizes.
Guests choose from an extensive range of local clays and ceramics as they arrive, before selecting the tantalising colours. Don’t worry too much about not getting that one bottle of paint you had your eye on, as someone at the table definitely has one! Choose your brushes and pick up some stickers to trace around or live on the edge and go free-hand.
Mark your new work of art underneath as the staff indicates to you and collect it when they give you a call.
Where: 4080 Hout Bay Main Rd, Hout Bay | 199 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
Cost: Piece-dependent
Website: claycafe.co.za | Facebook: Clay Cafe in the City | Instagram: @claycafe_inthecity
Gin-Making Experience at the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa offers a unique opportunity to learn about the interplay of botanicals that define the craft gins of the Cape. The experience begins with a gin and canapé tasting, explaining the botanical influences of Cape gin.
With your palate primed, it’s time to play, blending local fynbos with other botanicals to create your own unique gin. At the end of the evening, you’ll receive a mini-bottle of your gin to take home.
When: 6pm daily (please book 24 hours in advance)
Where: Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Cost: R795 per person (minimum 4 guests)
Website: 12apostleshotel.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 437 9000
Facebook: @12apostleshotel | Instagram: @12apostleshotel
Stir Crazy Cooking School
Stir Crazy Cooking School hosts interactive cooking classes and a series of special events, offering uniquely prepared dishes and gourmet menus inspired by the culinary arts.
The Stir Crazy Bistro offers a selection of breakfast and lunch menu items, featuring a first-hand glimpse of chefs preparing dishes for the table. The menu offers a mix of flavours garnished from foraged foods, ethically farmed plant-based and sustainable providers.
Stir Crazy Cooking Theatre also hosts an exclusive Chef’s Dinner once a month, inviting guests to watch Superyacht Chefs in action as they prepare a 5-course dinner.
When: Various dates, 9am to 9.30pm
Where: Stir Crazy Cooking School, 14 West Quay Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Cost: Workshop-dependent
Website: stircrazycooking.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 501 0695
Facebook: @Stircrazycooking | Instagram: @stircrazycookingschool
Montebello Design Centre
The Montebello Design Centre feels like a small college or university campus in the way that it’s laid out, one building for ceramics over here, another building for needlework over there. These sections cater for three separate offerings, skills development for artisans, a place to sell work and a place for patrons to come and learn or hone a craft.
Some classes and workshops take place outside of Montebello’s hours, like adult art lessons on Wednesday, which offers a morning class from 9.30am – 12pm as well as an evening class from 6.15pm – 8.45pm. It’s essential to contact class leaders if you’re interested in participating in a class, as sometimes these can be held outside of Montebello’s trading hours but still held on site.
For those more tactile, pop into Montebello Design Centre before booking a class or workshop and get a feel for the space and things you’ll end up creating.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturdays, 9am to 4pm | Sundays, 9am to 3pm
Where: 31 Newlands Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Cost: Contact class leaders for detailed costing
Website: montebello.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 685 6445
Facebook: @montebellodesigncentre | Instagram: @montebellodesigncentre
Sasha Leon: Learn Enamelling and Jewellery Making
Metalwork is an art form that has a deep place South African history, especially in what is referred to as ‘precolonial’ history, when communities across the northern parts of southern Africa were working with metals like copper and gold. Sasha Leon is a goldsmith and jeweller with over 30 years of experience and she continues South Africa’s passion for metalwork by sharing hers.
A UCT graduate in Fine Art, she taught enamelling for 22 years at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s jewellery design and manufacturing department before she leaving the tertiary institution to open this business. Sasha Leon Sculpture & Jewellery still imbues Leon’s love of teaching and sharing her passion for sculpting and metalwork through her workshops.
Currently offering a basic jewellery and vitreous enamelling course, she still has her skill and urge to teach. The basic jewellery course includes 10g of sterling silver however patrons need to provide their own sterling silver for the vitreous enamelling course.
When: Contact Sasha for detailed availability
Where: 4 Wembley Sq, Gardens, Cape Town
Cost: Course-dependent
Website: slsj.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 824 3549
Facebook: @SashaLeonSculptureJewellery
Life Drawing Classes
Join a group of like-minded creatives to unwind and build skills at life drawing classes every second Wednesday evening, hosted by renowned South African artist Tiffany Onderstall.
These guided classes welcome all levels – not just the experts. Meet new friends, meditate through silent drawing, or refine your skills and talent in a fun and relaxed setting. It’s the perfect way to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, or simply enjoy a peaceful midweek break.
True to its reputation as a creative hub, 196 Victoria in Woodstock provides an inspiring backdrop for these classes. To book your spot, send Tiffany Onderstall a direct message on Instagram.
When: Every second Wednesday evening, 7pm to 9pm
Where: Cape Town Life Drawing, 196 Victoria Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Website: Tiffanyanderstall.com | Facebook:@CapeTownLifeDrawing | Instagram:@capetownlifedrawing
Crafts and Gifting with Exclusive Books
It is always the right time to pick up a new interest or take on a new creative activity, and what better way to do so than by shopping at Exclusive Books? Our guide highlights the best in creative activities and fiction books, all available in the Exclusive Books catalogue.
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